“While the right to anonymity is sometimes desirable in healthy political discourse (think of letters to the editor, etc), too many who wish to act violently hide behind hoods or masks in an effort to intimidate or conceal their identity from law enforcement,” the Fountain Hills Republican wrote, on his Facebook page.

“To help discourage these acts of violence and better protect Arizonans, I am in the process of initiating legislation that would unmask (through criminal penalty) those who, at political parades or demonstrations of any kind, wear hoods or masks in order to hide their faces, wear hoods or masks while being involved in any acts of violence, or wear hoods or masks while interfering with those at the scene trying to maintain order.”

Of course, it still would be perfectly fine for fatcats to hide while waging "dark money" attacks on our leaders’ political rivals. But I digress.

Protesters leave the scene after Phoenix police used gas outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. Protests were held against President Donald Trump as he hosted a rally inside the convention center. Associated Press

Protesters raise their hands after Phoenix police used gas outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. Protests were held against President Donald Trump as he hosted a rally inside the convention center. Associated Press

Smoke billows after Phoenix police used gas outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. Protests were held against President Donald Trump as he hosted a rally inside the convention center. Associated Press

Protesters yell after Phoenix police used gas outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. Protests were held against President Donald Trump as he hosted a rally inside the convention center. Associated Press

Phoenix police move protesters away after using tear gas outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. Protests were held against President Donald Trump as he hosted a rally inside the convention center. Associated Press

Phoenix police move protesters away after using gas outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. Protests were held against President Donald Trump as he hosted a rally inside the convention center. Associated Press

New York outlawed the wearing of masks and disguises in public in the 1800s. Alabama has banned them since 1940, unless it’s Halloween or Mardi Gras.

In Ohio, it’s illegal for two or more people to disguise themselves while committing a crime. (Presumably, it’s OK for a lone criminal. Go figure.)

In West Virginia, it’s a misdemeanor for anyone over 15 to cover his or her face in public. There are exceptions, including if it’s a “traditional holiday costume” or safety gear required for a job or “for the sole purpose of protection from the elements while participating in a winter sport.”

For years, it was illegal to wear a mask in public in California. But the courts struck down the law, after a group of Iranian-Americans sued, contending they had a right to conceal their identities from the Iranian government during protests after the revolution in 1979.

California then came back with a law that outlawed the wearing of masks while committing a crime.

Earlier this year, North Dakota followed suit, a response to protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline.

And now, Arizona?

The simple question he should consider

In an interview with the Arizona Capitol Times' Ben Giles, Lawrence said he sees similarities in today's protesters and the KKK.

You know, the guys who burned crosses on lawns and lynched people?

“The thugs wearing masks and throwing things at police officers and breaking windows and robbing and pillaging while wearing masks and hoods are the equivalent of the Ku Klux Klan,” Lawrence told Duda. “Now, there are no hangings of white people, yet.”

Lawrence, in announcing his proposal, already is anticipating ridicule. I can't imagine why.

“I'm sure that some opponents will suggest that we'll be rounding up people on Halloween or some such nonsense, but that will not be the case,” he wrote. “I have spoken with law enforcement and they tell me that much of the damage at these events is caused by people hiding their faces.”

Well, it’s only logical that Lawrence should be anticipating ridicule, having so often introduced silly bills. (Who can forget last year’s Pest Control by Pistol proposal?)

So that’s my cue, right?

As one Facebook poster responded to Lawrence: “You do know Laurie Roberts is going to have a field day with this. Jay, let's pass legislation that strengthens Public Education or makes Arizona an even more desirable place to live and work.”

To Lawrence, my esteemed legislator, I would ask one simple question:

Are you trying to stop protests or are you trying to stop violence?

If it’s the first, then the ridicule will be forthcoming. Don’t try to criminalize the innocent actions of people who are exercising their constitutional right to protest.

(And while you're at it, you might want to stop equating people who throw rocks with people who terrify and hang defenseless human beings.)

But if Lawrence is truly trying only to put the brakes on violence, then no ridicule here. Instead, a suggestion.

Simply limit the bill to those who commit crimes, giving them a more severe punishment if they do so while wearing a mask.

You don’t, after all, have a First Amendment right to vandalize public property or throw rocks at police officers.

But it strikes me as blatantly unconstitutional to tell me I can’t walk down the street looking like a goofball.

Curiously, Lawrence has no interest in outlawing guns at public protests, such as the AR-15s I saw protesters carrying on Tuesday. Armed protesters apparently don't pose a danger when tensions rise.